Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Join Me in a Prayerful November!

Oh, oh, oh.....

All Saint's Day.

I'm Catholic and we've always viewed November as the month of remembrance followed by December, the month of anticipation and joy. I don't remember if that was taught to me, or it just made sense because All Saint's Day and All Soul's Day are followed by Thanksgiving later in the month.

Remembering those who've gone home to God is good regardless of denomination, right? And praying for the families of those who've lost someone is also good.

These days, I pray for prayer. I pray that God's people will pray. That we'll all gather physically and spiritually and revive the hunger for prayer in our cities and towns. That we'll take as much time for God and church as we do for shopping or trash TV.

That we reach out every time we see someone down on their luck with whatever we have, even if it's just a smile. An unexpected smile heals a great deal of heartache.

I love prayers. I love sacrifice. I love striving to be less of a jerk. (That last one is a work in progress, which probably means I'm not striving enough!)

I love going to church because it's a public symbol of unity. It's too easy in our fragmented lives to shrug off that public symbol. I find it heartening to set aside that time. Show up. Pray. Sing. Pray some more. Sure I could pray at home. We all pray at home, right? That's what makes Sunday special. Not just an afternoon pot roast or chicken and biscuits or pizza during the game...

That morning spent in communal prayer.

The world is filled with communal people praying against us. That's a bad scenario. We need to link together through God to be the best we can be. To maintain our country's strength.

Prayer is so easy, so awesome. And this month, a prayerful month, is like the world's very best place to start. And then we can celebrate Thanksgiving together, happy. Prayerful. Joyous.

Join me. I don't care what denomination you are. In Ruthy-world religion doesn't matter because faith ranks supreme. Simple faith. The faith of a child.

Yes, regardless of denomination, as long as we believe in the same things--the Bible, Jesus as Lord and Savior and being the Son of God and His death and resurrection--we are all ONE FAMILY.

Our church practices this. We have a monthly worship event, into which we have incorporated some prayer, and it is for all churches in our county. We gather together to worship God. And now our pastor has begun a First Sunday Prayer evening for those in our church--the first one is this Sunday, November 4th, so we can pray for the upcoming elections.

And one of our members is the director of the Wayne County Prayer House. We are trying to get prayer to sweep across our county...

Love it, Ruthy. My church does something twice a year called "Prayer Experience" and it truly is that. I mean, look at how often Jesus prayed, and He's, well, you know. =) The part about those praying against us resonated. *HUGS*

I usually have my students fill a heart full of names of deceased family and friends for us to pray for in November but since we've been off all month, we haven't done it yet. Have to put that on the list for Monday.

And I agree about the communal prayer. I take my class to Mass every Wednesday morning. We've talked about how we attend Mass with our own families so it's important to attend as a class family.

Oh, what a lovely group we're forming... And there are quiet folks on the side as well... and it's good to whisper this campaign in your neighborhoods... in your clubs... or your stores, churches, etc. How silly of us to forget the simplicity of prayer but we all do it.

Busy lives. Gentle hearts.

We're on our way.... and I'd love for more to join us openly or quietly. It's all good.

List of upcoming books and novellas!!!

Home on the Range

Nick Stafford didn't ride off, chasing some dream... He stayed home, helping his father build a world-renowned ranch. Now his brothers are back and his father's sick and if you want to call Nick frustrated, well.. you wouldn't be wrong. He's the son who chose to stay, but so far, staying is only half the battle... And this is his story.

Their Surprise Daddy

When two illegal immigrant children face severe consequences, can their two law-appointed guardians find a way to keep them safe, happy and maybe offer them a home-sweet-home together? The last thing the youngest Gallagher sister wants is to be attracted to a wealthy, stuck-on-himself Manhattan money-mover, but as she works side-by-side with handsome Cruz Maldonado, she sees the scarred man beneath the brilliance... and the tender heart he tries so hard to hide. I hope you love this beautiful story of sacrificial love and coming home... to Grace Haven, a town full of heart and hope.

Peace in the Valley

And here it is, the story you've been waiting for. The third son, not by birth but by design: God's design. The one whose destiny lay intertwined with so many others, the one whose golden future was born of a dismal past. Trey's story, the country crooner who comes home searching for what he never really lost in the first place: love.

Book Signing!!!

These lovely gals from the Parma Public Library have graciously hosted me several times! The Friends of the Parma Public Library have been wonderfully supportive of my work and they are just the nicest bunch of people you'll ever meet. Giving a shout out to all of you gals, and a huge thank you!

Oh my stars, thanks for comin' over!!!

Yes, it's me, once again bothering innocent people and shamelessly exploiting small children and animals to sell wonderful sweet books that make you feel just a little bit better about most everything when you're done with them. I try to write the kind of book I like to READ... It just makes sense, doesn't it? :) If you click on the books below, they spring to life with a link to Amazon. I even make buying EASY for you. And inviting. If you can't afford the books (been there, done that, totally understandable) ask your local library to get them in. They're wonderful. I promise.

Woman's World article

Oh my stars!!! Huge thanks to Woman's World and Carla for choosing Winter's End as a BEST BEACH READ!

About Me

Ruth Logan Herne likes to be called “Ruthy”, she loves God, her family, her country, coffee and chocolate, thinks snakes should always live outside, possums should leave the cat food on the side porch alone and all grandchildren should be named for her.
A mother and grandmother to seriously smart young people, she writes stories of humor, hope and faith, embracing God’s love and life’s opportunities. Now an established author with Love Inspired Books, her North Country books secured the coveted 4 ½ Star Romantic Times rating and Philosophy of Romance named Made to Order Family their “Book of the Year” for 2010.
Her 2011 series is set in Allegany County, NY, one of the most gorgeous places on Earth. All three books have received a 4-Star rating! Set in the foothills of the Allegheny range, a Brigadoon-type town is coaxed back to life through love, romance, hard work and a strengthening economy. These are stories of new beginnings and righting old wrongs...
Ruthy is also proud that "Winter's End" has been nominated for the prestigious Carol Award for Christian fiction AND that "Winter's End" received the Holt Medallion Award of Merit for best first book.
Amazing.